The Glory of the Lord

When Jesus was born it marked the beginning of God’s promises of a coming Messiah being fulfilled, not only for the Jewish people but for all the world. Our Scripture for today is one of those promises.

Isaiah 60:1–3 NIV84

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

These verses are the reason we traditionally sing “We Three Kings”, even though the Bible says it was magi who were led to the baby Jesus by the star. The coming of the magi to worship Jesus signifies God’s revelation to the Gentiles, the nations, through the appearance of the star. This Thursday is the Day of Epiphany, which means appearance, and has been celebrated by the church since at least the 4th century, and is the twelfth day of Christmas.

Their world was not much different from ours.

Darkness covers the earth

Ignorance – spiritual darkness, unbelief

Sin – moral darkness

Our light has come

Matthew 4:16 NIV84

the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

The magi only saw the beginning of the Light’s coming, we can look back and see the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.

Glory of the Lord has risen – as a sunrise dispels the darkness

“You teach,” said the Emperor Trajan to Rabbi Joshua, “that your God is everywhere, and boast that He resides among your nation; I should like to see Him.” “God’s presence is indeed everywhere,” replied Joshua, “but He cannot be seen. No mortal eye can behold His glory.” The Emperor insisted. “Well,” said Joshua “suppose we try to look first at one of His ambassadors.” The Emperor consented. The Rabbi took him into the open air at noonday and bade him look at the sun in its blazing splendor. “I cannot,” said Trajan. “The light dazzles me.” “You are unable,” said Joshua, “to endure the light of one of His creatures, and can you expect to behold the resplendent glory of the Creator? Would not the brightness of His glory annihilate you?” This same thought is expressed in the Bible in 1 Timothy 6:16, “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.”

In Jesus Christ we see God’s glory

John 1:14 NIV84

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God’s glory will be seen

His character - the sum effect of all of his attributes, all that he is.

Righteousness

Goodness – answer to Moses’ request to see God’s glory

Power

Radiance

Grace, truth, mercy, justice, knowledge

His reputation

Giving praise to God, glorifying His name

His presence

On the mountain – a consuming fire (Exod. 24:17)

In the wilderness – a cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night

Dedication of Solomon’s Temple – a dark cloud (I kings 8:11-12)

God’s glory is all around us if we have eyes to see it. The star was there for all to see but as far as we know only the magi responded to seeing it. God’s revelation was given to the religious leaders in Jerusalem through the Scripture but they did not go with the magi to see for themselves.

Our call to shine

Arise – get up. When God calls us to arise He also gives us the ability to do so.

Shine – let the Light of Christ shine through us

Matthew 5:16 NIV84

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

We must reflect His character

Nations come to our light – as we witness to God

It is now through us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that the world will see that God Himself is with us.